Patents Examined by Walter L. Lindsay, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11747425
    Abstract: A method for reconstructing single-slice image data sets from k-space measured data sets that have been acquired simultaneously from at least two slices from an examination object. The method includes an iterative modification and hence an optimization of the underlying k-space trajectories in the reconstruction of individual image data sets from collapsed measured data sets acquired from a plurality of slices and hence a retrospective reduction of interference in the individual image data sets that are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Mario Zeller, Flavio Carinci
  • Patent number: 11737934
    Abstract: A trolley system configured to transport a patient within an MRI environment includes a patient support portion, a base portion configured for movement relative to a floor, a lift coupled to the patient support portion and the base portion, an electric motor coupled to the lift, and an electric blower coupled to the patient transfer device. The lift is configured to change the elevation of the patient support portion relative to the base portion. The motor is mounted such that the elevation of the motor is fixed relative to base portion. The trolley system is positionable adjacent an MRI apparatus within the MRI environment and the magnetic field of the MRI does not interfere with the operation of the motor or blower. The trolley system may further include a patient transfer device having an air bearing. The blower is configured to deliver air to the air bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Qfix Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Coppens, James Manning, Franklin Ports, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11740305
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to controlling a magnetic resonance imaging system for generating magnetic resonance image data from an object under examination, in which magnetic resonance raw data is captured, and at least one multi-slice STEAM pulse sequence is generated. The multi-slice STEAM pulse sequence comprises one excitation module for each slice, in each of which are generated a first slice-selective RF excitation pulse and a second slice-selective RF pulse, and one readout module for each slice for acquiring magnetic resonance raw data, which readout module comprises a third slice-selective RF pulse and further sequence elements for spatial encoding and for receiving RF signals. Between the excitation module and the readout module of a first slice is implemented at least one excitation module or one readout module for another slice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventor: Alto Stemmer
  • Patent number: 11740567
    Abstract: An optical device includes a lens mirror array, in which transparent optical elements are connected to each other along a first direction, and a case, in which the lens mirror array is contained and fixed. The case includes at least three holes through which a manufacturing jig can pass. The jig can be used to press the lens mirror array in a direction intersecting the first direction at three or more positions on the lens mirror array to deform the lens mirror array to correct for possible distortions in the optical device prior to the fixing of the lens mirror array to the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 11740308
    Abstract: A signal processing method including receiving an original reference radio frequency signal from a receiving antenna group; receiving the time series of the control signal associated with the transmission event of the radio frequency pulses; synchronizing the time series with the original reference radio frequency signal, and determining the echo train in the original reference radio frequency signal in a repetition time of the pulse sequence, wherein the echo train corresponds to the part of the time series associated with the transmission event of the radio frequency pulses in time sequence; setting the sampling points in the domains of the starting point and a first ending point of the echo train; and generating a fitting signal based on the sampling points to eliminate the radio frequency interference signal resulted from the transmission event of the radio frequency pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Shu Qun Xie, Yan Tu Huang, Fang Dong
  • Patent number: 11733336
    Abstract: A method a for acquiring magnetic resonance data of an object under examination by means of a magnetic resonance system comprises: in an excitation phase, applying an RF excitation pulse; in a wait phase following the excitation phase, applying at least one first RF refocusing pulse after the applied RF excitation pulse according to a first echo spacing; in an acquisition phase following the wait phase, applying at least two further RF refocusing pulses to generate echo signals according to a second echo spacing, wherein the second echo spacing is smaller than the first echo spacing; and reading out the echo signals generated in the acquisition phase as magnetic resonance data from which image data can be reconstructed, wherein in the wait phase at least two spoiler gradients are switched in the readout direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Nadine Dispenza, Dominik Paul, Mario Zeller
  • Patent number: 11726158
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for susceptibility-weighted imaging, and a magnetic resonance imaging system. The method includes, in planar echo imaging of a plurality of excitations, performing flow compensation in directions of layered encoding, phase encoding, and frequency encoding for echoes of each excitation; after determination of excitation each time, when a linear reordering mode is adopted, for excitation each time, collecting each echo towards space k in a positive direction or a negative direction from the central echo of the plurality of echoes, and collecting echoes of the current excitation in a direction opposite to a direction of collecting echoes of the previous excitation; and subjecting the collected echoes to susceptibility-weighted imaging. An aspect of the present disclosure allows a reduction of flow artifacts in an image created by susceptibility-weighted imaging based on a planar echo sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Kun Zhou, Qiong Zhang
  • Patent number: 11727293
    Abstract: A predictive engine includes an optimizer and a predictor. The optimizer is configured to receive an observed dataset having inputs and multivariate responses and determine latent response variables based on the predictive inputs and the multivariate responses. The optimizer is further configured to select latent response variables, measure dependencies between multivariate responses, estimate coefficients that relate the input predictors to determined latent response variables, and correlate dependencies and coefficients with the latent response variables. The predictor is configured to generate a predictive distribution of probabilities for the latent variables, map the probabilities to multivariate responses, generate a predictive distribution of probabilities for the multivariate responses, and determine at least one optimized input from the multivariate responses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Cloud Software Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Sayan Chakraborty, Daniel Scott
  • Patent number: 11726107
    Abstract: A sensor system includes a transducer for sensing a physical stimulus along at least two orthogonal axes and an excitation circuit. The transducer includes a movable mass configured to react to the physical stimulus and multiple differential electrode pairs of electrodes. Each of the electrode pairs is configured to detect displacement of the movable mass along one of the orthogonal axes. The excitation circuit is connectable to the electrodes in various electrode connection configurations, with different polarity schemes, that enable excitation and sampling of each of the orthogonal axes during every sensing period. For each sensing period, a composite output signal is produced that includes the combined information sensed along each of the orthogonal axes. The individual sense signals for each orthogonal axis may be extracted from the composite output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew C McNeil, Jerome Romain Enjalbert, Joel Cameron Beckwith, Jun Tang
  • Patent number: 11726417
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus may include a photosensitive member, a developing device including a developing roller, pressing members configured to engage with the developing device and springs configured to urge the pressing members. In some examples, each of the pressing members may be configured to contact and move the developing device between various positions based on the urging of the springs. Additionally or alternatively, various ends of a contact surface of the developing roller configured to contact developer may be disposed relative to an axis line of the developing roller and pressing surfaces of the pressing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoh Nishimura, Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 11720048
    Abstract: A first replaceable unit is provided for use with a second replaceable unit in an electrophotographic image forming device. The first replaceable unit includes a latch movable between a latching position for latching the first replaceable unit to the second replaceable unit and an unlatching position for permitting the first replaceable unit to separate from the second replaceable unit. The latch is positioned to contact a latch catch on the second replaceable unit in order to prevent the first replaceable unit from separating from the second replaceable unit when the first replaceable unit is mated with the second replaceable unit and the latch is in the latching position. The latch includes a cam follower surface for contacting a camming surface on the second replaceable unit during mating of the first replaceable unit with the second replaceable unit to cause the latch to move toward the latching or unlatching position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Randal Scott Williamson
  • Patent number: 11720040
    Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a fixing device that has a heater, and a required power calculation unit that determines a power Pfsr that is assumed to be required by the heater. Based on a difference between a required power that is determined by the required power calculation unit and a suppliable power, the image forming apparatus selects whether to start printing in a normal mode or to start printing in a power saving mode in which the power that is supplied to the heater is reduced in comparison to the normal mode. The power saving mode includes a plurality of modes, and when a CPU selects the power saving mode, the CPU selects one or a combination of modes from among the plurality of power saving modes based on the aforementioned difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Yamamoto, Masatoshi Itoh, Daisuke Usami, Kentaro Yamashita
  • Patent number: 11720038
    Abstract: A printing device, including: a cartridge storing developer; a memory provided in the cartridge; and a controller configured to execute a printing process of operating the cartridge form a developer image on a sheet by use of the developer in the cartridge, a first access process of performing access to the memory when the printing process is not being executed, and a second access process of performing access to the memory in a period in which the printing process is being executed, in response to a predetermined operation of the printing device, wherein, when an access failure occurs in the first access process, the controller notifies an error, and wherein, when an access failure occurs in the second access process, the controller continues the printing process and executes the second access process again in response to a next timing of the predetermined operation of the printing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Suzuki, Tadao Kyotani
  • Patent number: 11720046
    Abstract: Provided are an image bearing member; a charging member that charges the image bearing member; an exposure unit that exposes the image bearing member; a developing unit that develops an electrostatic latent image as a developer image by supplying a developer, charged to regular polarity, to the image bearing member; a transfer member that transfers the developer image to a transfer-receiving body; and a collecting member that collects a deposit on the image bearing member downstream of a transfer portion of the image bearing member at which the developer image is transferred to the transfer-receiving body by the transfer member, and upstream of a charging portion of the image bearing member charged by the charging member, in a rotation direction of the image bearing member. After transfer of the developer image to the transfer-receiving body, the developer remaining on the image bearing member is collected by the developing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Funatani, Shinsuke Kobayashi, Kensuke Umeda, Takanori Watanabe, Ai Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11721534
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for processing a mass spectrum, comprising: (i) providing the mass spectrum which contains a plurality of data pairs, each data pair being representative of a mass value or mass-related value on a mass scale or mass-related scale and an abundance value or abundance-related value associated with the respective mass value or mass-related value, (ii) selecting a plurality of intervals on the mass scale or mass-related scale, each interval containing a multitude of the said data pairs, (iii) for each interval, applying a first mathematical-statistical analysis to the said data pairs contained in the respective interval in order to derive an interval-specific peak width, and (iv) using the said interval-specific peak widths to determine an estimated peak width for each mass value or mass-related value on the mass scale or mass-related scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Inventor: Tobias Boskamp
  • Patent number: 11714374
    Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner cartridge detachably mountable to a receiving device, the toner cartridge comprising a container including a accommodating portion for accommodating the toner and a discharge opening for discharging the toner from the accommodating portion into the receiving device; and an open/close member including a closing portion for closing the discharge opening and an engaging portion movable relative to the closing portion, the open/close member being rotatable relative to the container between (a) an opening position for causing the closing portion to open the discharge opening and (b) a closing position for causing the closing portion to close the discharge opening, wherein the engaging portion is movable relative to the closing portion between (c) a engaging position for engagement with the receiving device to receive a force for moving the open/close member from the opening position to the closing position when the toner cartridge is d
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yosuke Kashiide, Takashi Kimura
  • Patent number: 11714102
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are aspects of a multiple-mass, multi-axis microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) accelerometer sensor device with a fully differential sensing design that applies differential drive signals to movable proof masses and senses differential motion signals at sense fingers coupled to a substrate. In some embodiments, capacitance signals from different sense fingers are combined together at a sensing signal node disposed on the substrate supporting the proof masses. In some embodiments, a split shield may be provided, with a first shield underneath a proof mass coupled to the same drive signal applied to the proof mass and a second shield electrically isolated from the first shield provided underneath the sense fingers and biased with a constant voltage to provide shielding for the sense fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jianglong Zhang, Xin Zhang
  • Patent number: 11714133
    Abstract: A method for estimating a property of an electrical switching device that includes an electromagnetic actuator that includes a coil. The method includes: measuring electric current flowing through the coil; measuring supply electrical voltage of a control circuit for the actuator; injecting an electric current pulse into the coil; identifying a first time corresponding to a time for which the current flowing through the coil reaches a predetermined threshold value when the current increases following the injection of the pulse; and identifying a second time corresponding to a time for which the current flowing through the coil again reaches the predetermined threshold value when the current decreases after a spike. The method further includes estimating a resistance of the coil on the basis of a ratio of a sum of the values of the voltage that are measured between the second time and the first time, to a sum of the values of the current that are measured between the second time and the first time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Stéphane Delbaere, Rémy Orban, Philippe Guibert, Christian Jarrige
  • Patent number: 11713981
    Abstract: An evaluation unit for a magnetostrictive displacement sensor and a magnetostrictive displacement sensor for determining a position of at least one position encoder having an input for receiving an electrical measurement signal generated by the magnetostrictive displacement sensor are proposed. The electrical measurement signal includes a position signal representing a position of a position encoder movable relative to a magnetostrictive device component and a reference signal representing a reference position, having a first evaluation branch for evaluating the measurement signal. The first evaluation branch is adapted to determine a position signal time of flight of the position signal and a first reference signal time of flight of the reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: SICK ATECH GMBH
    Inventor: Saiful Islam Ahmad
  • Patent number: 11709819
    Abstract: A validation method applied to sensor data prior to submitting to a blockchain, a computer program product, and a system for validating chemical data. One embodiment may comprise receiving a sensor captured result at an application, applying the sensor captured result to a domain-specific statistical model of expected range of variability of measured results to extract a distribution of expected sensor values, computing a confidence value in the sensor captured result using the domain-specific statistical model, validating the confidence value against a required threshold of confidence, and submitting the sensor captured result for appending to the blockchain if the confidence level is validated against the threshold of confidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jaione Tirapu Azpiroz, Ademir Ferreira da Silva, Percival Silva de Lucena, Matheus Esteves Ferreira, Ricardo Luis Ohta, Mathias B Steiner